France's Sarkozy Headed for Election Defeat

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In a last minute push to win votes in the European parliament elections, former French president Nicolas Sarkozy Calls for "Profound" EU Overhaul led by France and Germany. In a clear bid to rally voters to his centre-right UMP party, which is under threat of losing in France to the anti-EU National Front, Mr Sarkozy broke a two-year virtual silence on political issues to issue a ringing defence of the need for the union to preserve peace in Europe and beyond.

To the victor, belongs the spoils.
Had former French president Nicolas Sarkozy won reelection, he certainly would not be under investigation for illegally funding his campaign, nor there would be an investigation regarding his involvement in fraudulent arms sales to Pakistan.

As goes the French economy, so goes the reelection chances of French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Although Sarkozy leads in round one, polls show that lead is shrinking at a pace that suggests he will not carry round one.
More importantly, Sarkozy is trailing again by double digits in polls for the decisive round two.
For those not familiar with elections in France, round one pits candidates from all the parties against each other on April 22. If no one gets 50%, the top two finishers square off in round two, on May 6.

Latest polls show French President Sarkozy is losing ground to right-wing anti-euro candidate Marine Le Pen in the first round of the France presidential election. Via Google translate, please consider Le Pen and Bayrou Back

PARIS — Meet France’s new conservatives, same as the old conservatives — but with a different name.
The UMP — an acronym for “union for a popular movement” — on Saturday officially changed its name to “the Republicans” after a two-day vote by members.
The party, under the leadership of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, is hoping that shedding its old name will also help unload some political baggage before the 2017 presidential race.

Politics are heating up in France and Germany as French president Nicolas Sarkozy clings to his political life and German chancellor Angela Merkel is under increasing pressure over more bailouts.
The Financial Times reports Merkel to join Sarkozy on campaign trail

The EU Observer reports France to hold jobs summit as unemployment hits 12-year high
A sharp rise in France's unemployment figures is putting pressure on President Nicolas Sarkozy to deliver, with over half the French population wanting the candidates for the spring presidential election to focus their energies on maintaining jobs.

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, model, chanteuse and former French first lady, has given up show business to pursue her true passion: coaching a provincial soccer team.
That, anyway, is what a new marketing video starring Bruni-Sarkozy would have you believe.
It is all part of a conceptually abstract ad campaign by Ford Motor, which hopes her aura can create an allure for its brand in France that its cars have been unable to do on their own. Ford, whose vehicles are popular in many parts of Europe, has only an anemic market share — 5 per cent — in France.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy delivered an ultimatum to the EU on immigration, complete with a "Buy European Act" and a threat to suspend the Schengen Agreement that allows passport-free travel among 25 European nations.
Hollow Threat for Political Reasons or the Real Deal?

In a move sure to raise the ire of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister David Cameron says French banks would come to Britain to avoid tax.
In comments aimed squarely at Nicolas Sarkozy after the French president reportedly criticised British industry, Cameron said the concept of the tax at a time of economic difficulty was "mad" and "extraordinary".